A total of 2,933 tourists stranded in Sajek Valley were safely escorted to their destinations by security forces on Thursday amid repeated exchanges of gunfire between law enforcers and armed groups during a blockade on Sajek tourist road in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila.

The tourists were safely escorted to their destinations by members of the Bangladesh Army and police, said Officer-in-Charge of Sajek Police Station Tofazzal Hossain.

The indefinite blockade began at 6am jointly called by Sajek Ganadhikar Rakkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association to press home their three-point demand.

Pickets set fire to tyres at several points along the road bringing all vehicle movement between Dighinala in Khagrachhari and Sajek Valley to a halt.

Police said a special security escort comprising members of the Bangladesh Army and police left Sajek for Baghaihat around 8:30am with stranded tourists.

When the convoy reached Ujjobazar in Sajek Union around 10:30am, the protesters blocked its path.

Members of the law enforcement agencies held discussions for several hours, urging the protesters to let the tourists pass, but they remained firm in their position.

At one stage, army personnel broke through the barricade and arranged for the tourists to reach safety.

During the operation, armed groups positioned in Ujjobazar area opened fire at the security forces, triggering an exchange of gunfire between the two sides.

However, it was not immediately known whether anyone was injured or killed in the gunfire.

Additional security measures have been taken in the area to bring the situation under control.

Meanwhile, the Rangamati district administration has imposed a ban on tourist visits to Sajek from Thursday until further notice, citing the prevailing security situation.

The decision was announced in s public notice signed by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi on Wednesday night, stating that the restriction was imposed due to unavoidable circumstances.

The organisations enforcing the blockade alleged that armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS-Santu group) had established positions in different areas of Sajek, including Machalong, Thalkumbho, Chillyatuli Kuti, Noapara, Lambabak and Bhuiochhari, forcing more than a hundred local residents to leave their homes.

They announced that the blockade would continue until their three-point demands including the removal of armed members from the area and ensuring the safety of local residents are  met.

The organisations earlier enforced blockades intermittently since October 11 but suspended the programme until October 21 on the occasion of Durga Puja.

The renewed blockade has caused severe hardship for around 30,000 people from the local Lusai, Tripura, Chakma and Marma communities, disrupting their movement and the transportation of essential commodities.

Local farmers have also been facing difficulties as transport shortages have prevented them from taking their jhum crops to markets.

The Army and police remain on high alert to restore normalcy, while the administration is working to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.